Corkscrew



(No Model.)

W. GRABBQ GORKSGRBW. v No. 304,299. Patented Sept. 2, 1884.

VILLIAM ORABB, OF NEWARK, NEV JERSEY.

VICORKSCREW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,299, dated September 2, 188%.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- I

Be it known that I, WI L AM GRABB, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corkscrews, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of corkscrews which are formed from a single piece of metallic wire of uniform diameter, one extremity of the wire being pointed and twisted spirally to form the screw, while the other extremity is shaped to form a loop or handle. Heretofore the upper or free end of the piece of wire, after being bent to form the loop or handle, has been simply twisted around the shank or portion of the wireimmediately above the spiral, forming a small loop, which is relied upon to preserve the shape and position of the handle with relation to the screw. This method of securing the upper end of the wire is open to objections. I For instance, since the small twist or loop simply surrounds the shank of the screw, it is liable to be forced upward under pressure,'decreasing the size and distorting the shape of the handle, and allowing the spiral portion to penetrate a cork farther than designed or desirable. The small loop or twist around the shank is also liable to pull out or unwind when subject to any considerable degree of strain, as where a cork is unusually difficult to draw, thus rendering the device useless.

The object of my invention is to overcome these objections and to afford a positive means of securing the free or upper end of the wire to its shank or spiral portion that shall render the fastening practically as strong as any other portion of the device in resisting rupture or distortion.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved corkscrew; Fig. 2, an elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig.3 is an elevation of the blank after one end has been sharpened and formed into the spiral screw. Fig. 4 is a similar View of the blank after the small loop or eye has been formed; Fig. 5, an elevation of the blank, showing the upper portion bent over to form the large loop or handle, and the free end passed through the smaller loop or eye; Fig.

6, an elevation at right angles to Fig. 5, showing the end of the wire flattened to prevent its return through the eye.

In the drawings, B represents the blank of wire from which the corkscrew is formed. The lower portion is sharpened and twisted into the spiral s in any suitable manner. At a point above the upper termination of the spiral s the wire is bent, so as to form a small loop or eye, 6. The aperture thus formed in the shank of the blank is preferablyequal to or but slightly larger than the cross-section of the blank. The upper portion of thelwire blank is next bent into a loop of annular '01 other desired form to constitute the handle H, and its free end passed through the smaller loop or eye 0, after which said end f is flattened or otherwise increased in width transversely, so as to prevent the possibility of its return through the eye. This increase in width is preferably accomplished by flattening the end f, as shown in the drawings,'although it may be accomplished in other ways, as by upsetting the end of the wire, or by bending it under pressure, so as to form lateral projections or shoulders, which engage with the sides of the eye 0.

It is to be observed that by forming the small eye or 'loop 6 immediately above and adjoining the spiral s it affords apositive stop or gage to the degree of penetration of the latter, since it cannot possibly be forced out of position longitudinally in either direction.

Being formed also in the body of the blank, it cannot be unwound or deranged by the strain to which the handle is subjected while pulling a cork. In fact, (as will be nnderstoodby reference to Figs. 1 and 2,) the greaterthe strain to which the handle may be subjected in a legitimate manner the stronger will be the connection, since the enlarged end of the wire will be pressing the eye against the shank and tending to compress the parts more closely together.

lVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to 1 secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a corkscrew formed from a single piece of metal, substantially in the manner set forth, the loop or eye formed in the body of the shank above the screw portion for the reception of, and in combination with, the extremity of the wire which forms the handle, the said extremity being passed through the said loop or eye and enlarged laterally, for the purpose de- 1 portion, and then enlarging the end to prescribed; vent its return substantially in the manner [0 2. In a corkscrew formed froma single piece and for the purpose described. of metal, substantially in the manner set forth, WILLIAM ORABB the method of securing the extremity of the wire of which the handle is formed, consisting Vitnesses:

in passing the said extremity through a loop GEO. V. MIATT, or eye formed in the shank above the screw WVM. GARDNER. 

